🏥 Health & Emergency Guide for Foreigners in China (2026)
Staying Safe in China
China is generally very safe for travelers. Here’s what you need to know about health and emergencies.
🆘 Emergency Numbers
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|
| Police | 110 | For crimes, accidents |
| Ambulance | 120 | Medical emergencies |
| Fire | 119 | Fire emergencies |
| Traffic accident | 122 | Road accidents |
| Foreigner hotline | 12367 | Immigration queries |
⚠️ Save these numbers in your phone immediately!
🏥 Healthcare System
Hospital Types:
| Type | Quality | Cost | Best For |
|---|
| Public hospitals | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Affordable | General medical care |
| Private hospitals | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Expensive | English-speaking staff |
| International clinics | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Very expensive | Western-standard care |
Major International Hospitals:
| City | Hospital | Phone |
|---|
| Beijing | Beijing United Family Hospital | 010-5925-5000 |
| Shanghai | Shanghai United Family Hospital | 021-2327-2800 |
| Guangzhou | United Family Guangzhou Clinic | 020-8331-2388 |
| Chengdu | Chengdu United Family Hospital | 028-8702-5888 |
Hospital Visit Tips:
- Bring your passport — required for registration
- Bring cash — some hospitals don’t accept foreign cards
- Translation app — for communicating symptoms
- Travel insurance card — for reimbursement claims
- Wait times — public hospitals can be very busy (1-3 hours)
💊 Medicine & Pharmacy
Common Medicines Available:
| Medicine | Chinese Name | Use |
|---|
| Paracetamol | 扑热息痛 | Pain/fever |
| Ibuprofen | 布洛芬 | Pain/inflammation |
| Antihistamines | 抗过敏药 | Allergies |
| Cold medicine | 感冒药 | Cold symptoms |
| Diarrhea medicine | 止泻药 | Stomach issues |
Pharmacy Tips:
- Find pharmacies — look for green cross signs
- Chinese pharmacies — may not have Western brands
- Bring your own — pack essential medicines from home
- Prescription meds — bring a doctor’s note in English
- Traditional Chinese Medicine — interesting but research first
🛡️ Travel Insurance
Why You Need It:
| Risk | Cost Without Insurance |
|---|
| Hospital stay | ¥5,000-50,000+ ($700-7,000+) |
| Emergency surgery | ¥50,000-200,000+ ($7,000-28,000+) |
| Medical evacuation | ¥200,000-500,000+ ($28,000-70,000+) |
Recommended Insurance Providers:
| Provider | Coverage | Price | Notes |
|---|
| World Nomads | Comprehensive | $30-100 | Good for travelers |
| Allianz | Comprehensive | $25-80 | Reliable |
| AXA | Comprehensive | $20-70 | Good coverage |
What to Look For:
🍽️ Food Safety
General Rules:
| Rule | Why |
|---|
| Eat at busy restaurants | Fresh food = popular place |
| Avoid raw vegetables | May not be properly washed |
| Drink bottled water | Tap water not safe to drink |
| Be cautious with ice | May be made from tap water |
| Eat hot food | Freshly cooked is safest |
Common Food Issues:
| Issue | Prevention | Treatment |
|---|
| Stomach upset | Avoid street food initially | Pepto-Bismol, rest |
| Food poisoning | Eat at reputable places | Seek medical help |
| Allergies | Learn Chinese allergen words | Antihistamines |
🔒 Safety Tips
General Safety:
| Tip | Details |
|---|
| China is very safe | Low crime rate compared to most countries |
| Watch for scams | Be cautious of overly friendly strangers |
| Keep valuables secure | Use hotel safe, don’t flash cash |
| Avoid demonstrations | Stay away from political gatherings |
| Register with embassy | Let your country know you’re in China |
Common Scams:
| Scam | How to Avoid |
|---|
| Tea ceremony scam | Politely decline invitations from strangers |
| Art student scam | Don’t follow strangers to “art exhibitions” |
| Fake police | Real police won’t ask for your wallet |
| Taxi scam | Use Didi app, insist on meter |
| Bar scam | Don’t follow strangers to bars |
Night Safety:
- Well-lit streets — stick to main roads at night
- Public transport — metro runs until ~11pm, buses later
- Hotel area — stay near your accommodation
- Phone charged — keep battery for emergencies
📱 Health Apps
| App | Purpose | Notes |
|---|
| WeDoctor (微医) | Online doctor consultation | Chinese, but useful |
| Ali Health (阿里健康) | Pharmacy delivery | Order medicines online |
| Baidu Health (百度健康) | Health information | Chinese medical info |
💡 Pro Tips
- Buy travel insurance before departure — it’s too late once you arrive
- Keep emergency numbers saved — in phone and written down
- Carry a medical card — with blood type, allergies, emergency contact
- Bring essential medicines — from your home country
- Learn basic medical Chinese — for emergencies
- Stay hydrated — drink bottled water only
- Rest when sick — Chinese hospitals can be overwhelming
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